How To Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Whether you are a caregiver that is a family member or paid, the work you do is life changing. Caring for someone who needs help can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be physically, emotionally, and mentally overwhelming at times. The responsibility of ensuring the health and safety of another person can often lead to unmanageable levels of stress if left unchecked and the problem is far more common than most people realize.

It is estimated that about 60% of caregivers today suffer from periodic feelings of “burnout” which can cause the caregiver and the person they are caring for to suffer.

One of the most noticeable symptoms of caregiver burnout is when you stop paying attention to your own needs. You feel that your life revolves around your caregiving responsibilities and nothing else matters. You often feel physically and mentally exhausted no matter how many breaks you take or how much sleep you get at night. Caregiver burnout may cause you to withdraw from social interactions with family and friends as well as a loss of interest in leisure activities you once enjoyed.

Caregivers suffering from burnout report noticeable changes in their appetite or weight. They tend to become sick more often, have difficulty concentrating, and are easily upset over even the smallest things.

What is truly unfortunate is that most Caregivers do not realize they reached the burnout stage until it begins to negatively affect their lives. This is why it is important for caregivers to be aware of the symptoms of burnout before it becomes a more severe problem so that they can get the help they need when they need it.

If you are a family member caregiver, connect with other family members and friends to let them know you need a break to recharge your batteries. If you work for a home care agency, make them aware of the burnout symptoms you are experiencing. They understand how the weight of your responsibilities can sometimes become unbearable and they will be the first to provide you with the empathetic support you need. No matter what situation you are in, remember that you are never alone.

There may be things happening that you cannot control but focus instead on those that you can control. Perhaps a family member can only help out one day instead of two. Maybe your home care agency can only give you a few days off instead of a week. In either case, consider the results victories instead of defeats. Take the time you get to spend a day shopping or at the park with your pets. Do something to pamper yourself whether it is a visit to the beauty salon or a day trip to someplace that you have been wanting to visit.

Prepare a dinner you have not had time to make and invite friends or family over to enjoy the meal.

Last and most importantly, remind yourself that the work you do is valued. It’s a wonderful feeling when you know you are appreciated not just for the work you do, but for the person you are.